Improved washing and drying machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. P. UHLINGER.

WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE. No 103,528. Patented May 24, 1870.

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2 SheetsSheet 2.

W. P. UHLINGER. WASHINGAND DRYING MACHINE.

No. 103,528. Patented May 24, 1870.

Fig.2.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

WILLIAM P. UHLINGER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVED WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 103,528, dated May 24, 1870.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. UHLINGER, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Washing- Machines and Drying-lVIachines Combined; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a central vertical section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view thereof.

My invention relates to combined washing and drying machines; and consists, chiefly, in the construction and novel arrangement of devices whereby a centrifugal flow of water is sent up from the center of a rotating basket through the interstices of the goods therein contained, thereby rapidly and efficiently clean sing them. After the washing is accomplished, the water is forced out of the goods,

without shifting or handling, merely by shutting ofi the steam and water and continuing the rotary motion.

The letter A of the drawings designates the tub of my washing-machine, provided with the outlet b. In the center of the convex bottom 0 of this tub is secured the socket d, in which is stepped the foot of the rotating spindle B, which carries the basket G, in which areplaced the goods to be cleaned.

D represents a perforated cylindrical wall, which is secured to the basket near the center thereof and serves to receive the water from the end of the pump or siphon E, and to distribute the same through the perforations e e in its wall.

F represents a steam-engine, designed to rotate the shaft K, and by means of the bevelwheel k and pinion 1, operating by friction, to revolve the spindle B with its basket. The exhaustpipe m is introduced into the central chamber, D, and the steam therefrom assistsmaterially in cleansing the goods.

L designates a series of tubs or compartments, containing such different preparations as maybe required in cleansing the goods.

Thus, one compartment may contain suds, the next rinsing-water, the next bluing, &c.

A flexible tube, a, is attached to the end of the siphon or pump E, in order that the liquid may be taken from either compartment at will. A similar flexible tube is attached to the discharge-opening b of the tub, in order that the flow therefrom may be into the same compartment, thereby enabling a continuous circulation of the same fluid to be kept up. The bevel-pinion at the top of the spindle B is usually made of leather.

M represents the frame-work which supports the shaft and spindle.

l? P are foundation-blocks, on which the tub is placed.

The operation of my machine for washing is as follows: The soiled goods or other articles to be washed are placed in the basket, which is set in motion and made to rotate at great velocity by means of the steam-engine. 'Water, soap, and other ingredients are placed in one compartment or tub, hot water in another, cold water in the third, bluing in the fourth, and so on. The ends of the suctionhose and discharge-tube being both immersed in the tub containing the suds, the latter are conveyed by the action of the pump to the central compartment of the basket, and kept hot by exhaust-steam from the engine. The centrifugal force consequent upon the immense velocity of the rotating basket now forces the liquid through the interstices and texture of the goods, thus thoroughly cleansing them in a very short time. As the suds pass from the discharge-tube into the same compartment from which they are taken up by the suctionpipe of the pump, a continuous current of the same liquid is kept up for any length of time required. The suction and discharge pipes are now transferred to the next tub, and the same operation repeated with the water for rinsing. Then bluing-water may be passed through the goods in the same manner, and so on from tub to tub, according to the liquid required. After the washing is completed, the drying is accomplished, without stopping the machine, simply by shutting of the waterflow from the siphon or pump and the exhauststeam from the engine, when the rotation of with central perforated chamber, D, arranged to transmit, by centrifugal force, water and steam through the goods, in combination with the pump or siphon E, subdivided reservoir 1:, and exhaust-pipe m, substantially as speci- In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

W. P. UHLINGER.

Witnesses:

W. F. PRATT, H. DIENELT. 

